Home From Canadian Holiday!

Me on way to board propeller plane back to Philadelphia

I'm back home folks!

I see my last post was my last day in Hamilton, Ontario.  Oh so much has happened since then.  

Pat and I returned to his home in Toronto.  We attended the Canadian National Exhibition, also known as "The CNE."  

The crowds, lights, sounds, rides, games of chance, food, smells, and (did I say?) CROWDS!  

Then "home" and visits to our favorite restaurants like Aroma, Udupi Palace (Indian), the Big Carrot.   This is my third trip to Toronto to visit Pat and we always have to visit these restaurants.  My trip to Toronto wouldn't be complete without these visits.  Pat did try to take me to a few new restaurants but that didn't work out.  One restaurant that he was especially anxious for me to visit was the Swiss Chalet.  That didn't work out because as soon as I discovered a two month old "baby in a basket" that was at the table across from us, I got up and left.  I told the hostess "I don't eat at restaurants with babies in a basket."  I prefer a dining without the smell of baby poop and ear piercing screams of a baby that doesn't want to be in a restaurant.  I also don't dine at restaurant where the Mother breast feeds her baby at her table which is what happened two years ago when Pat and I were dining at the Cafe Azafran restaurant in Rehoboth Beach.  Please excuse my rant but I just don't understand why parents bring their babies to restaurants.  Can't they afford a baby sitter or do they think their "miracle from God" is so precious that they want to share their baby with other patrons in a restaurant. Again, my apology for my rant.  Back to my trip.

Yesterday Pat drove me to Buffalo to catch my prop plane back to Philly.  Prop plane?  I felt like I was in the final scene from "Casablanca."  What's with the prop planes?  However I was told by one of my fellow passengers that American Airlines is phasing out the prop planes and replacing the with jets.  About time I would say.

My fellow passengers boarding the propeller plane at the Buffalo airport yesterday morning

The weather was perfect at the Buffalo airport. In fact, all week the weather was ideal.  Wow!  I sure did luck out.  By the way, the Buffalo airport is probably the best airport I've ever been in.  Clean, efficient and plenty of outlets for charging my digital devices (iPhone and Macbook Air).  Unlike LAX, which (and I can't believe this) has almost NO outlets for charging smart phones or other digital devices.  

Me waiting ann charging my iPhone at the Buffalo airport. 

I paid a little extra to get a good seat on the prop plane back to Philly.  Check out these cool videos that I took of my view right next to that propeller. Of course the thought crossed my mind what if I saw one of those propellers drop off?  This thought was especially on my mind because, while waiting to board my plane, I was talking to another airline passenger who told me that the front wheel fell off his plane departing from Chicago!  You just never know folks when your time is up.  Thankfully my fellow passengers and I arrived home safely yesterday in Philadelphia.

My ride was waiting for me at the baggage pickup point.  Our two hour ride back to southern Delaware was on traffic free roads, unlike last year when I made the mistake of returning on Labor Day.  Never again will I make that mistake.

Bill was waiting for me when my ride drove into my driveway.  I was home.  Oh, and the heat and humidity was back.  Now I know I'm really home.

Always good to get away folks but always good to get home again.  

Many, many thanks to my host in Canada, my good friend of three years Pat.  

Thank you Pat for being so patient with me and treating me to one of the best holidays I've ever had.  Your reward is waiting in Heaven.

Last Day in Hamilton

Pat sitting in front of the Burnt Tongue where we had lunch today

Our stay in Hamilton is coming to an end.  Originally we only planned to stay one day but our accommodations here at the Carmen Best Western hotel are so outstanding I've extended our stay twice!

Today was another beautiful weather day.  Pat and I explored more of downtown Hamilton which is undergoing a metamorphosis from a run down steel town to a destination city of those seeking relief for the high prices and traffic nightmare of Toronto.  

There are still sections of downtown Hamilton badly in need of cleaning up but the genesis of a city in the process of being reborn is clearly visible.  Pat is going to love living in his hamster cage at the renovated Royal Connaught Hotel.  

Today we explored the farmers' market located right in the center of town.  All fresh veggies, meats, eggs, baked goods and even flowers.  Something that even I don't have access to where I live in southern Delaware.  

Fresh veggies at the Farmers' Market in downtown Hamilton today

We also discovered another delightful restaurant in a funky part of town.  It was called the Burnt Tongue.  No, we didn't burn out tongue with the fresh veggie soup we got there nor the hot fries.  Delicious!

Pat buying fresh brownies at a bake shop

Pat and I are headed out again in a few minutes to sample another veggie restaurant.  

Customer buying fresh cold cuts at the Farmers' Market today

Tomorrow we leave Hamilton.  I have to say I am saddened.

Canada - Day Three

Me and Pat at Niagara Falls this past Tuesday

Where does the time go?  It's Day Three of my annual Canadian holiday!

Folks, I am having a GRAND time.  I am so fortunate at this time of my life to have the health, means and friends to take a holiday like this.  All my life I dreamed of holidays like this but always had to settle for those solo vacations.  Some years ago I gave up on taking solo vacations because they just weren't fun. Now I am having fun.

Here is a brief synopsis of what we have done since I landed at the Buffalo airport this past Tuesday.

Pat picked me up at the airport.  We had lunch at Wegmans in downtown Buffalo. We always make it a point to have lunch at a Wegmans just because of the great selection of good food at a reasonable price.  Pat is a vegan and I go vegetarian when I am with him. 

After lunch Pat drove us to Niagara Falls, Ontario for the next leg of our stay. I made reservations at a bed and breakfast called The Gray Stone Manor. First time I stayed at this bed and breakfast.  It's always a roll of the dice when choosing a hotel or bed and breakfast.  I always check Trip Advisor for some guidance to avoid any disasters.  This time I choose wisely.  The Gray Stone Manor was magnificent!  An old Victorian house that was spotlessly clean and spacious.  Centrally located near downtown Niagara Falls, couldn't be more convenient. 

Pat in the staircase of the Gray Stone Manor, our bed and breakfast in Niagara Falls

That night we drove to downtown Niagara Falls to take in the super touristy atmosphere that is Niagara Falls. We rode the giant ferris wheel which is "Yuge."  

After the ferris wheel ride we weaved our way through the massive tourist crowds and found a small Indian restaurant where we enjoyed a tasty Indian meal.

And what would a trip to Niagara Falls be without a visit to the Falls River Casino?  Oh yes, we walked (and walked) our way to the casino which probably wasn't such a good idea.  Pat has a bad leg and my new white Rebook sneakers were pinching both of my big toes.  I knew I should have broken in those sneakers.

After a few rest stops we finally entered the brightly lite environs of the acres of slot machines. We both were prepared to spend $20 on the slots. Pat and I are such novices we still don't know which slots to play.  After passing several lonely slot machines, Pat settled on one that look interesting. He put $5.00 in and started to play.  Spin, spin, spin. First three spins no matches. He was down to $3.50.  Then on the fourth spin he had a match!  An eleven dollar credit showed on the screen.  I urged Pat "Let's quit now while you're ahead!"  He agreed.  I didn't even feel like playing the slots.  I still have my $20.00.  

The slots - money suckers

We went to the payout section of the casino and Pat cashed in his receipt.  By this time both Pat's leg and my big toes were killing me.  We attempted to walk to our car but we only made it a few blocks until we stopped and tried to hale down a cab.  Lot's of luck!

After a few misses we got a cab.  Now we didn't even know where our car was parked. Pat knew the general direction so we told the cab driver to drive in that area.  He did and dropped us off.  Pat and then hobbled around several streets until we finally found his car.  Thank goodness!

In the car and back to our bed and breakfast and a good night's sleep.

Pat at our Victorian bed and breakfast in Niagara Falls

The next day we woke up to a glorious breakfast.  All that food just for us and the other guest in the bed and breakfast, a young lady from Switzerland.  For breakfast:

Fresh fruit cup
Oatmeal
Scrambled egg burrito
Ham
Potato patties
Toast
Fresh squeezed orange juice
Coffee
Yogurt
Danish

And some other selections that I forget.  Our breakfast hostess was a Portuguese woman who emigrated to Canada over twenty-five years ago.  That's one of the things I love about Canada.  So diverse in the many cultures who live in harmony.  So unlike many of the places I've been in the United States where too many people get nervous when they see a woman wearing a hijab or a man wearing a turban.  

On Tuesday we left for Hamilton, Ontario.  Pat's new home.  I would write about that visit but this blog is already too long.  But one thing I can say, we're staying at the best hotel I've ever stayed at in my life.  In fact I've extended our stay by two days.  We won't leave hear until Saturday morning.    The photo at the heading of this blog was taken in downtown Hamilton a few hours ago during a free music concert.  Hamilton is a lovely town.  So welcoming.  Pat has made a good decision to move here.  The photo below is where Pat will live next year when the conversion of the Royal Connaught Hotel is complete into condos.  Pat's condo will be where the sheet is hanging.  

Pat in front of his new front door, the Royal Connaught

Royal Connaught Hotel, Hamilton, Ontario this morning under going conversion

Good times folks.  Life is wonderful!

P.S.

Sorry about the lack of photos and videos but I'm working from my MacBook Air and I don't want to load it down with videos and photos.  I'm inundate you all with photos and videos from my trip when I return home next Tuesday.  I know this week is going to go by fast. 

Waiting at the Airport

Goofy picture I just took with my Webcam here at the airport - don't expect the same quality in photos for these blog postings on the fly

Here I sit at the Philly International airport waiting for my flight to Buffalo, New York.  In Buffalo my Canadian friend Pat will pick me up and we're off to Niagara Falls, Canada for a night's stay.

My friend Larry couldn't pick me up for my ride to the airport from my home in Sussex County, Delaware because he is in the hospital with a medical emergency.  I just found out that information yesterday so I had to do some quick action to get a ride to the airport. I posted a query to our local neighborhood website for a one way ride to the airport (I pay $125).  Lucky for me I got three replies.  I choose the first reply which was a neighbor of mine on the same street.  In fact is only five houses up.  Lucky Ron!

He picked me up at 8:15 AM.  Traffic was light for the two plus hour drive to the airport and I got here at 9:30 AM.  Plenty of time for my 12:07 PM flight to Buffalo.

Of course I got confused where to go once I was here.  But I found the right directed to go for TSA Security after asking one of the many uniformed airport employees lingering around.

Much to my surprise there wasn't anybody in the TSA line.  In previous flights I've taken were much earlier.  I thought I would avoid the crowds but I didn't.  At 6:30 AM in the morning the airport is bustling. Today, nary a soul in that line. 

This time I didn't have to take my shoes off but I did have to have my luggage examined.  That was a first.  Yes, I was pulled aside but all the TSA employees were very nice and respectful.  Maybe I'll get the airport routine down yet.  

So there I was, with my baggage unzipped and my unmentionables (tight whities) exposed for the young lady TSA inspector.  I suspect this isn't the first time she's seen men's underwear while inspecting luggage.

The only glitch I had was my tar shampoo.  I had it in a container larger than three ounces. I had less than three ounces in the container but I didn't want to put it in any other container because when I did that before it leaked all over my shirt. I explained this to her.  I told her it was so hard to get that shampoo (MG-217) and I absolutely needed it (which I do for my scalp).  She checked with a co-worker and fortunately for me (I tried to look as innocent as possible when he looked at me), he said "Okay, but next time put it in a small container."  Yes sir!

Then I was clear!  I called Pat to let him know I'm at the airport and ready for departure.  I also called Bill to let him know.  Travel is complicated.

Oh, I did have a momentary scare, I looked at the departure schedules and didn't see my flight for Toronto.  Oh no! Panic!  I checked the information desk and gave him my flight number.  He looked it up and said "The flight to Buffalo leaves at Gate F-11".  Buffalo!  Oh yes, I'm going to Buffalo first then Toronto.

Now to get my light jacket because it's chilly here at the airport.  I knew I should have brought my hoodie with me.

Toronto, Here I Come!

Pat and I at our quick stop at Niagara Falls last year

The blog header photo above is of the Eaton Center in downtown Toronto.  I took the photo last year when I visited my Canadian Best Pal, Pat. Tomorrow I return to Canada!

I'm always nervous before one of these trips, especially when I have to take a plane.  My friend Larry M. was going to pick me up and take me to the airport but he had a medical emergency.  He's in the hospital now.  Bill will take me to the airport.  

I think I have everything packed.  And yes, I did cut down on my shirts.  Only the one I'm wearing, a spare shirt and a pullover.  Man, it was hard to made that cut.  I probably only need two shirts.

My flight is to Buffalo where Pat will pick me up and we'll spend the night in Niagara Falls at a bed and breakfast called the Greystone Manor. We'll hit the slots at the casino.  And I will see Niagara Falls. Yes, I am impressed with Niagara Falls and plan to take a lot of pictures. We didn't spend enough time there last year.  Pat was in a rush to get to Toronto. I slowed him down this year. He's not as impressed with Niagara Falls as I am.  

I have my passport packed, prescriptions, underwear, toiletries, and (so important) chargers for my iPhone, Apple watch and Macbook Air.  What did I forget?  That always worries me.

Exciting times folks.  I'll try to keep you all updated via my blog.  

Pat and I in the Kensington section of Toronto last year with a "friend"

Dreams

Me and Horace going for a ride - he loved to go for rides with me - 1998

Most dreams I forget.  However, this morning I didn't forget this dream.

I dreamt I was in a hospital.  Not as a patient but in the midst of walking the busy corridors of the hospital, with staff rushing to and fro. 

I don't know what I was doing in the hospital. I wasn't a patient.  I wasn't visiting anyone. But I was in the midst of all that cacophony. 

Then around the corner of that busy hospital corridor I see my late Pomeranian dog Horace. Then I see two other orange Pomeranians following him.  They looked lost.  Horace when right by my.  I shouted "Hey Horace!"  He turned around and ran to me and jumped into my arms. 

I recognized one of the other orange Poms as his daughter.  However, I didn't recognize the third Pom.  We had three Poms but the third one was a blonde. 

Horace was the only dog I had that chose me.  I purchased him from a pet shop in 1982.  He died in 1998, at age 16 years.  I have never gotten over this death.  I haven't got a pet dog since because both Bill and I don't want to go through that pain again.  

The only time I really cried in my life over the death of a living thing was when Horace died. 

I had him put to sleep after he had a stroke and was totally limp.  I didn't cry when I was holding him as the vet injected him with a fatal solution.

However, the next day, while at work I got to thinking of what my life would be like without Horace and I started to cry.  A heart wrenching cry like I never had before.  I was so embarrassed that I went into the bathroom and cried.  I didn't want my co-workers to see me crying. 

I felt desperate.  I could get another dog but I could never get another "Horace."  That dog loved me and I loved him.  

I felt ashamed to feel this way about a dog.  I have never felt this way about any human being. I have felt sad when those close to me have died.  From my parents and friends and former co-workers but never the total sadness and feeling of loss that I felt when I realized that Horace would no longer be in my life.  

After about ten minutes I was able to pull myself together and get back to work.  However, I still felt this tremendous sense of loss that I would never be able to recover. Then, the more I thought about how to get through this pain, I came upon a solution.  I convinced myself that when I die, my pain would end.  If there is an afterlife, then I would be with my Horace again.  If there is no afterlife, then I would know nothing, including the pain of his loss.  Either way I felt some comfort knowing that eventually the pain of the loss and loneliness that I now felt would end.

However, every now and then I have these dreams.  It's almost like Horace is telling me that he is waiting for me. 

Bicycle Challenges

Hey folks! Remember when I got a bike a few months ago?  

I saw an ad by one of my neighbors who was selling his bike.  I haven't ridden a bike in over thirty years. But I yearned to ride a bike again. Of course I knew I was taking a chance, being the Old Guy that I am now.  This November I'll be 75 years of age.  No two ways about it, that's OLD.  

So it was with some trepidation that I checked out this bike for sale and decided to buy it.  

Remember the video I posted of me taking the bike for a trial run?  I was a little wobbly but I quickly balanced myself and made a successful run.  

I bought the bike and had it completely overhauled.  Then I began riding it through my development.  

I often rode my bike daily.  Occasionally I have venture out of my development and ride down Oyster Rocks Road to the Broadkill River.  Once such time my bike slipped on the gravel as I was making a turn and I fell to the ground, injuring my right leg and getting bloody scrapes on my left left, hand and arm.  The bruise on my right leg bone is still healing.  Lesson learned, I'm now more careful when I ride my bike on loose gravel.

A few days ago I took my bike out for an evening ride through my development.  I notice that I had a harder time peddling my bike.  What was happening?  Were my legs getting weaker like my friend Larry, who is experiencing that problem during his daily walk?  

I began to ride less and less.  The fun was out of riding my bike.  Then a thought occurred to me.  Were my bike tires soft? 
I checked and viola!  They were soft.  

Now to figure out how much pressure the tires should be?  How to find this out.  Life is not easy these days is it folks?  Always seems to be hurdles and obstacles for the simplest of tasks.

I figured out where to find the amount of bike tire pressure.  The amount is embedded on the tires, 40 to 60 pounds.  I asked Bill to check how much pressure my bike tires had (Bill takes care of this kind of thing around Casa Tipton-Kelly).  He checked and guess what?  My tires only had 12 pounds of pressure!  No wonder I was riding my bike like jogging through sand with combat boots (which I did when I was in the Army).  A lot of effort and not much progress and definitely not fun.  

Bill pulled out our air pump and put 60 pounds of air pressure in my bicycle tires.  I took my bike out for a spin and guess what? 
The fun is back!  

Just another day In The Life of Old Man Riding a Bike.